Rail fare rise a "kick in the teeth" for Bedford passengers, says councillor

The Government’s decision to raise rail fare prices more than expected has been described as a "kick in the teeth" for passengers and "unjustifiable " by one councillor.

Commenting on the announcement of an inflation-busting 2.6 per cent increase from March 2021, Cllr Tim Hill said: “This news is a kick in the teeth for all rail users and it is particularly unjustifiable for local commuters, who have suffered so much in recent years.

"Following on from the prolonged chaos over new Thameslink timetables alongside the ongoing loss of intercity peak time trains and much more, an inflation-busting fare rise is yet another betrayal suffered by Bedford borough rail users."

The environment committee spokesman for the Liberal Democrats added: “Looking ahead, the decision is even more indefensible for our area. The Government is removing Bedford from its historic place on the intercity rail network and scrapping our fastest trains to London and direct links to the north.

“When we emerge from the pandemic people should be encouraged to choose rail travel, not punished with excessive fare rises. Yet again the Government is acting both unfairly and illogically and local rail users are paying the price.”